Tractor



8.1. FOLSE. AND E. L. HECKER.'

TRACTOR.

APPLICATloN FILED JuLY 25.1921.

Patented Sept. 12, A1922..

Il SHEETS-SHEET l- Effy o R. J. FOLSE AND F. L. HECKEH.

TRACTOR. APPucATloN FILED JULY 25.1921.

ATTORNEYS R. I. FOLSE AND F. L. H ECKER.

TRACTOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 25,192I.

1922. II SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' Patenasept. 12,

me m Nar, N EZ R V0 m mf N a. 1. FoLsE Anm 1.-'. L. HECKER.

TRACTOR.. y APPLICATION FILED JULY 25| 192i.

1 ma. r. o R wv mm @VWM/m, ...ha .weSW/m Ef/n .w A JM W m- M# .m @y n mw n. J. FeLsE AND F. L. HLECKEH.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25,1921.

' Patented Sept. 12

Il SHEETS-SHEET 5.

R. l. FOLSE AND Fy L. HECKER'..

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 25. 1921,.

1,428,584, Batenasept. 12,192.2.A

l1 SHEETS-SHEET (i.

, R. FOLSE AND' F. L. HECKER.

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED JuLY 2i, 192|.

1,428,584, Patenasept. 12,1922.

Il SHEETS-SHEET 7.

H. J. FOLSE AND F. L- HECKER.

4TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 25.192I.-

Patented Sept. 12, 1922 R. J. FOLSE AND F. L. HECKER.

TRACTOR.` APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.1921.

Patenasept. 12,1922.

o o o l MIM '67A TTORNEYS.

R. J. FoLsEANn F. L. HECKER. TRACTOR. APPLICATION FILED JULY 25.192ll 1,428,584, l PatentedSept. 12, 1922.

H SHEETS-SHEET l0.

R. J. FOLSE AND F. L. HECKER. 1

TRACTOR.

APPLICATION FILED IuLY 25. I92I.

1,428,584. PatentedSept. 12, 1922.

Il SHEETS-SHEET Il.

INVE T0125n ffvfM/y. au By Patented Sept. l2, i922.

` yrizaszn natuur Critics. x

Enrnnei. resErn EonsE inn rEEnEEiCE: EAWEENCE BECKER, or NEW ORLEANS,

' Louisiane.. f f

TRACTOR.

Application iled July 25, 1921. Serial No. 487,228.

To all 'whom t may concern y Be it known that we, RAPHAEL JOSEPH FoLsE and FREDERICK LAWRENCE HECKER, citizens of the United States, residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State of Louisiana, have invented new and useful Improvements in Tractors, of which the following is a speciication.

The present invention relates to improvements in tractors of the class or type in which iieXible endless traction members are employed.`

One of the objects of the invention isto provide an apparatus of this type or character which will be particularly adapted for use with implements used .in cultivating growing plants. Accordingto the present invention the traction members are arranged relatively close together so that they are all adapted to travel in a single furrow between two rows of plants and the traction members are of such character as to assist in thoroughly breaking up or disintegrating soil between such rows. l

A further feature of the present invention by which the above stated object is attained is the construction of the main frame of the apparatus, which enables it to be employed with cultivating implements in treating the soil about plants of considerable height as well as those which extend a short distance above the ground.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tractor in. which the several parts will be compactly arranged so that the ma chine may be readily manipulated and in which maximum amount of strength will be provided.` k

As above stated, the improved tractor is particularly adapted for use with plant cultivating implements, and such an embodiment thereof is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Many of the features of the invention, however, are not limited to use with such special implements but are capable of use in tractors adapted for other purposes.

ln the accompanying drawings- Fig. l is a plan view of a tractor con-'- structed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 9. is a transverse sectional view substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section substantially on the line 3 3 of F ig. i.;

Fig. 4 is an elevationL of one side of the machine; y i

dFig 5 is an elevation of the opposite si e;

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation; F ig. 7 is a front elevation; f Figs. 8 to 11 inclusive, are detail views of portions of the framework of the machine; y

Fig. 12 is a side elevation illustrating a slight modification;

Fig. 13 is a view similar to Fig. 2 ofthe construction shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged horizontal section through the connection of, the engine to thetraction membersr in the form shown in Figs. 12 and 13;

Fig. 15 is a detail section on the line 15-15 of Fig. 14;

l Fig. 16 is a detail section on the line 16-16 of Fig. 14. i

Referring to the drawings, the main framework comprises longitudinally extending girders or frame bars 1, 2, that extend throughout the length of the machine and are suitably connected and braced, as required, by transversely extending bars, several ofwhich are indicated at 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. As shown, the several members of the frame are preferably formed from channeled bars or beams suitably bolted or riveted together so that the structure as a whole will be of minimum weight, while possessing a maximum amount of strength and rigidity.

On suitable bearings arranged in casings ti., 9, coruiected to and depending fromthe longitudinal frame members l, 2, are mounted two aligned axles 10, ll, to whichy are rigidly secured the hubs l2 of a pair of traction member driving sprockets 13. The traction members include two endless belts, each comprising a series of pivotally connected links l4and said traction members are supported by the sprockets 13 and by guide wheels 15 loosely mounted on an axle 16 carried by bearings attached to the frame members 1,2. As shown, each link of the traction belts is provided with a spur ortooth 17 which ris adapted to engage the ground as the belt travels longitudinally and which besides affording a firm grip yto cause motion of the machine are also adapted to breakv up the soil with which the traction members engage so that the action of cultia worm 2Q on a shaft two 'uprights mail vator implements mounted on the frame in rear thereof will be tacilitated.

Adjacent their inner ends, axles l0, 1l, are supported by bearings provided in a housing or casing 18, which is supported by the transverse bars 3, 4, of the frame and within which is arranged a differential gearing that connects the inner ends of the axles 10, ll.

As shown in the drawings, particularly in Figures 2 'and 6, the ol'ilerential casing` onhousing 1S is Jformed in twos'ections which are Vbolted together and the sprockets 13 are arranged yery close to the sides of such casing, the bodies ot'said sprockets being oppositely curved, or dished, so as to closely surround such casingv and bring` the traction members relatively close together. By mounting` the traction members .in the particu-lar 'manner shown Vand described, they are adapted to travel 'in a single furrow at one side ol a row yof growing 'plants and to engage the 'ground at practically the lowest points in said furrow. By this arrangement also the weight ot the machine is applied at the lowest possible point and in such manner that it tends to travel at all times parallel with the :row of plants and s the latter are not likely to be injured by "the traction members coming` in contact therewith.

Mounted on uprights rising' from the main trame, vat the forward end thereof, is a motor 2() which may be'olz any suitable form or type, a'n explosive motor being conventionally illustrated, and 'power from such motor lis transmitted to the 'main worm wheel 2l of the differential gearing through y A suitable Variable speed It'ransinission gearing,` is arranged within the motor casingl 2li and adapted to be controlled as desired through a control rod `so Ithat the speed at which the main differential wheel S31 is actuated, and the direction ot its rotation may be varied as desired.

The traction members are held in such position that the lower run thereotl between the guide wheels l5 and sprockets lf3 will be maintained substantially horizontal at alltimesby a series of wheels 26. rlhese are mounted 'on axles supported by a supplemental frame 27 that is connectedv with the transverse ,trame bars e and 7 by brackets 2S, 29, and at. the forward end isV connected with the trout' cross bar 5. Auxiliary supporting rolls 'for the uppery runs olE the traction members are provided ybetween the sprocketsll and 'guide wheels l5.

ln addition to the traction members the machine is supported by a ground wheel 30. This is mounted on an axle 31 that is liked at the lower end ot a double arch-shaped extensionol the main trame. As shown,

3Q are attached to the longitudinal trame member 2 and similar uprights 33 are secured to the frame member l. The aligned uprights 32, 33, are connected `at their upper ends by frame bars il that extend laterally beyond the main frame and are connected by cross bars 35, 3G, kand intersecting brace bars 37 and 38 to provide a rigid trame. The bearings tor the axle 3l ol the ground wheel 30 are supported by arms lO 'that depend from and are rigidly secured to the corner plates connecting the bars and 36 with the trame bars El. The members Slt oithe arch-shaped portion are at such a height that they may ireely pass over plants which have reached the maximum growth when the traction members are in a furrow at one side oit such row and theground wheel on the opposite side thereof. ln order that the machine may be adapted for cultivatinp` plants arranged in rows at ditlerent distances apart, means are provided whereby the wheel may be adjusted on its supporting axle lto vary the distance separating;- it 'trom the traction members. The hub ot the wheel 30 is arranged between collars fl, i12, that are adjustable on the axle Si being secured lin any adjusted position thereon by any suitable means, such as set screws. "`herelore, by loos'sening vthe means connecting"such collars with the axle they, and the wheel 30, may he moved longitudinally of the axle and the collars again secured when the wheel is a t the desired distance Jfrom the traction members,

The wheel S() is positively driven by the motor 2() through the Yfollowing connections. A. shatt -il--lf ournaled in a cross oar `commeting the uiiirights 32, 323, oil the arch-shapeiil portion ot the main :frame and in the cross bar ot said traine is provided at its lend adjacent the wheel 3() with a pinion l5 that is connected tlirouggh a chain with a sprocket en the hub ol wheel 2:30. On the sha'lt #llis mounted a "i'riction disc t which is adapted to engage a frictiondrive wheel L7 mounted on one end -ol a shuilj't supported in suitable liearings on the Ytraine and adapted to be rotated from the main motor sha'lt. As shown, a sprocket lil on rthe shalt -l-.tl is connected vby a chain elf) with a sprocket on the main motor shaf'lit so vthat the shaft i8 and friction drii'e wheel et? will be constantly rotated. when the `motor is running, at the speed oit the main shaft. To enable the wheel 3() to be zu'ljusted laterally, as above described, without destroyiuagthe connection between 'it and the uiotorithc shat't H- is made in two telescopine sections, le and 'l-l, (see `Figure linieans are also provided whereby the speed at which the wheel 3() is rotL ed maybe `varied independent ot any variation in the speed ot the motor shaft or ot the traction members. For this purpose the friction disc lo is llO llO

Al l) CIK 46 over the lace ol' the driving wheel All' l and thus vary the speed ot rotation ot the shaft lli and ground wheel 3G, as will be readily understood.

Means are also provided whereby the triction wheel i7 and disc i6 may be disconnected when desired. To ellect this, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the shaft e8 is provided with a non-circular seetion that is surrounded by the sprocket e9 and a coil spring 53 is interposed between the hubv of the sprocket and a collar lixed on the shatt. This spring actsto normally hold the wheel i7 in engagement with thek friction dise 46. However, by means of an arm 54 and a 'fork 54;, on a suitable rock shaft the shaft e8 and wheel i7 thereon may be moved against the action ol the spring 53 so that the disc i6 will be disconnected from the motor. The forli 54, as shown, bears against the rear lace ol a collar on shaft 4-8 and the arm 54C is connected by a rod 55 with a hand lever 56 suitably pivoted on the main frame and coacting with a sector 57' to retain the friction driving; wheel in either operative or'inoperative position.

Suitable brake devices are provided 'tor controlling the movements ot the endless traction members, As shown, each sprocket i3 is provided on its outer tace with a bralre drum 60 with which cooperates a brake adapted to be operated by a suitable lever, shown as having the torni of a 'foot treadle. The two brake-actuated tieadles 6l,1 62, are arranged side by side, the one actin g directly upon the brake of the adjacent sprocket and the other beingconnected to a roel; shaft which, in tiiri'i, is connected to the brake of the other sprocket. Adjacent said treadles is a third, similar treadle, 63 which is connected with the clutch by which the shalt of.

the motor is connected with the shaft that drives the traction members and wheel 30, as hereinbe'tore described.

A s hereinbel'ore stated, the improved tractor is particularly adapted lor use with cnltivating implements, and in the accompanying;` drawings such an embodiment ot the invention is illustrated. As shown, a series ot cultivating shovels 65 are supported in a suitable trame, which, at the loi-ward end,l

is connected by a chain G6 to a lug depending from the main traine, and which, at its rear, is arranged between coil springs Gi", GS, litted about rods connected to a bar that is supoperator, and it will be noticed that all ot i the parts requiringmanipulation to control the starting ot the motor, the rate of movement of the traction members and ground wheel and the raisingandr lowering of the ci'iltivator frame are all within f easyreach of an operator occupyingsaid seat.

As shown, in the drawings, the anis oiE the ground wheel 30 is some distance in advance ot the driving axles o'l`Y the traction members and means are provided whereby movement of such wheel may be readily controlled independent of the traction members. The brace bars 37, 38, of the lateral extension or arch-shaped portion ot the main trame, are rigidly connected with the main 'frame bar l by an inclined bar of angle iron which elfectually prevents twisting or displacement or the support-tor the ground wheel Il() relative to the main Jframe. f

- As shown on the drawings all oit the iframe members are formed of angle iron suitably connected by anchor plates riveted securely to the several members so that the machine will readily withstand the various strains which are placed upon it when in use.

rl`he main l'raine members l, 2, which eX- tend substantially vthronghout the entire lengthjof the machine include substantially Ahorizoiital ifoiwvard, rear and intermediate sections which are connected by inclined portions so that the forward end ot the machine is relatively close to theground and the in-r termediate horizontal sections of said .trame members to which the supports for the ktractiondriving axles are secured is elevated somewhat. The vrear horizontal portions of the side bars are elevated siitlicientlyl to permit the cultivating'shovels or plows, shown in tl'iedrawings, being positioned substantially below them. ,lit will be noted particularlythat theiiiain Atraine el which the bars l, 2, ,torni the sides is cuite narrow, all oit the parts being coinpactly arranged therein so that this frame will not extend into contact with the rows .of plants between which it travels when employed for use with cultivating` implements. This particular arrangement is oit advantage also when the inachine is nsedibr other purposes because it positions' the traction members relatively close together so` that while a lirn'iengagement with the ground is aliioi'iled the ma chine maybe readily guided.

ln Figs. l2 to 16, inclusive, there is il-` 1n this'torm `of the invention the diierential gearing is not located between the sprockets 13 of the endless traction members, 'but is supported by frame bars 90.y As shown particularly in Fig. 14. the differential mechanism includes two shafts 9:1, the inner ends of which extend into .a gear box 92 and are provided with pinions that mesh with suitable pinions mounted in the box L92 in the ordinary manner, andthe exterior' gear 93 on the gear box 92 meshes with a pinion secured 'to the rear end of the `driveshatt y23.

.On each shaft i91 is mounted 'a sprocket 9&1. which is connected by a chain 95 with a sprocket 96 `that is secured to the outer Piace of the sprocket 13 of one of the traction members. l

At its outer end each sha-tt is 4provided with a bralle wheel or disc '9T Awith which cooperates a suitable `brake band :that is connected to the foot pedal 611 by a frod `9S and lever arm 99.

rilhe sectional casing or housing l100 which surrounds all of the parts of the differential driving mechanism includes guides for -the aforesaid chains 95 and lor .the chain t9 which drives vthe irictiou wheel il?. The manner of operating yand .the advantages incident to the structure hereinbefore described will be readily appreciated. It will be seen that the invention provides a. very compact and powerful implement which can `be Ireadily controlled. By vreversing the -direction ot rotation of the ground wheel to the direction of movement ot' the traction members the machine can be turned pivotally, said iovement being assisted by suitable manipulation of the brakes.

ll] hat is claimed is:

1. In a tractor, the combination of a trame, two parallel endless traction members supported by the frame, a ground wheel at one side of said traction members, a motor, and two independent sets ot .means actuated by the motor for positively driving both said traction members and the ground wheel, respectively.

2. ln a tractor,l the combination oi iframe, two closely adjacent, parallel, endless traction members mounted in said trame, a ground wheel supported by the iframek iutermediate of the length vof the traction members, a motor, and independent trains ot gearing connecting ythe motor with the traction members vand said ground wheel.

1n a tractor, the combination of a main tix-ame, two closely adjacent endless traction members mounted within said trame, a ground wheelsupported at one side of the main trame, a motor, means for positively driving `both traction members and the ground wheel romthe motor, and means tor varying the speed yof rotation o'i' the ground wheel independent oi' any variation ot speed-of the traction members.

4.111 a tractor, the combination o' a irame, an endless traction .member mounted in the frame and including a series oit links each provided with means for breaking up the Vground over which it travels, a ground wheel at one side of' the iramc, a motor, and independently controlled means for positively driving the traction member and ground wheel, respectively, from the motor.

15.1'n a tractor, the combination oi' a frame, two driving sprockets mounted in the frame, two guiding wheels in the frame in advance of said sprockets, two endless traction belts extending around said sprockcts .and yguide wheels, a ground `wheel supported rat one side oi the frame, a motor, and two lindependent trains loi! Igearing respectively connecting the motor with said sprocl` ets and ground wheel.

6. In a tractor, theconibination of a `twine, two endless traction members mounted in the Jframe, a ground wheel ysupported by the frame at one side of the trame, a motor, gearing connecting the motor with `both traction members, connections between the motor and ground wheel, means Ylor independently controlling movement oi either traction member, and indepeiulent means controlling movement of the ground wheel,

7.111 `a tractor, the combination ort a frame, .two closely adjacent endless traction members mounted in the trame, a ground wheel mounted at one side of the trame, means for adjusting said wheel bodily to and from the Ytraction members, a motor, and means cormecting the motor with both traction members and with the ground wheel.

8. ln a tractor, the combination of a trame, two endless traction members mounted in the 'fram-e, and each compris series ci pivotally connected links -each proridcd with a projecting spur or tooth, a round wheel supported at one side o1 the trame, said traction members.: being arranged relatively close together so that they may both travel in a l' rro'w at one side oit a row o'l growing plants while the ground wheel travels in a tui-row on the other side oit said row` a motor, and means 'or positively driving both traction members and the ground wheel from the motor.

9.111 a tractor, the combination of a trame, two endless traction members mounted in the trame, a ground wheel supported at one side of the trame, a motor, connections' between the 4motor and both traction members, a count-cr shatt mounted in the frame and provided at one end with a friction disc, gearing connecting said countershaft with the ground wheel, a triction wheel mounted on the iframe in position to engage said trict-ion disc and connected to the motor to be rotated thereby, means ior moving the friction disc longitudinally main 'frunie extending laterally to one side there-ot, a g 'ound Wheel supported by said arch-shaped extension, a motor niounted on the nuiin traine, connections between he motor end the traction ineinbers, means inounted on the arch-shaped treme for positively driving the ground Wheel7 and independent connections between said ground wheel. driving ineans and the motor.

20. in a tractor, the combination of :t innin trame, endless Flexible traction means mounted in the inain frame, a motor, conneetions between the niotor :and the traetioi ineens, a ground Wheel supported at one side ot the mein tranne, a` countershatt mounted above the traction ineens and e,\'- tending beyond one side of the 'tranne toward the ground Wheel7 e, sprocket at the outer end ot said eounterehatt, a sprocket on the hub o? the ground Wheel, e Qbnin Connecting said sprockets, means for driving said eounterslniitt from the inotor9 and means for Varying the speed ot said countersnui't, Without discoiineeting it from the inotor.

2l. ln e tractor, the combination oit a mein traine, endless flexible traction means mounted in said frame, a motor, means con necting the traction means and motor, e ground Wheel supported `at one side of the main traine, e eountershaft extending transyersely of the main frame and beyond one side thereo'ic toward the ground Wheel, means connecting seid eountersheft with the ground Wheeh e friction disc on the countershaft, a friction Wheel geared to the inotor and adapted to engageisaidfriotion disc,

and ineens :tor disconnecting said disc and Wheelj et will.

22. in a tractor, the combination ot a innin traine, uprights rigidly seoured to seid inain trainej a supple-mental traine rigidly secured to the upper ends of said uprights and extending laterally beyond one side of the main frame, bearings supported beneath the outer end ot' said lateral extension ot the frame, an axle in sai d bearings, e ground Wneel on said axle7 endless flexible traction ineinbers mounted in the main traine, a motor, and independent connections between the motor and traction members and between the motor and ground Wheel, the letter permitting the ground wheel to be adjusted bodilyY toward and from the main treme Without being disconnected from the motor.,

523. lu a tractor, the combination of a inain treme, endless Flexible traction .ineinbers mounted in said treme, an arch-shaped extension extending laterally Yfrom one side of the inein iframe, a ground Wheel. mounted in bearings at the outer end of the archsbaped extension, a motor on the inein freine, means connecting the motor with the traction members, and connections between the inotor and ground Wheel including a teleseoping sha'itt7 whereby said Wheel may be bodily adjusted toward and from the inein frame Without being disconnected 'from the motor.

in testimony whereof We have hereunto set our hands. e

' RAPHAEL' JOSEPH FOLSE.

FREDERICK LAWRENCE HECKER. 

